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Person/ally is a new-generation executive search and leadership advisory firm, founded in Budapest with a clear ambition: to bring a fresh perspective to the industry and find better, more human ways of identifying and supporting leaders.
While Person/ally is a young company, its foundations are built on decades of international executive search experience. At the heart of this expertise are Éva Gombás and Kata Kelly, who together bring more than 50 years of experience, complementary perspectives and a shared commitment to doing executive search differently—and better.
Working internationally across Central and Eastern Europe, they combine the rigour and discretion expected from executive search with the curiosity and courage to question established practices when they no longer serve organisations or candidates well. They believe successful leadership appointments require more than matching experience to a job description. They call for a genuine understanding of the organisation’s context, culture and ambitions—as well as the leader’s identity, motivations and readiness to create impact.
Their aim is to make executive search more personal, insightful and transparent, creating meaningful value for clients and candidates throughout the process. They support organisations during periods of growth, transformation and succession through:
The team is licensed to use major international psychometric assessment systems, including Hogan, the GC Index, Cubiks and Saville. Their sector experience spans Consumer Goods & Retail, Financial Services, Technology & Telecommunications, Manufacturing, and other complex industries.
“Executive search has been my passion for more than 25 years, but I often faced the limitations of this approach. Leaders are the glue who fortify organizations and their shadow has a great impact on the company’s success. Finding and attracting the best talent is not where the journey ends – value creation comes through a constant reflection of aligning leadership, culture and strategy. I am committed to helping build thriving cultures and organizations and don’t stop working on a world better led.”
Éva Gombás
After 30 years in executive search, Éva walked away from a thriving international role to pursue something that truly matters and ignites her passion. She decided to change her own life and the way leaders think about executive search.
She wasn’t afraid to reject the “that’s how it’s always done” mindset, dream bigger and bring this business close to people.
She made the bold decision to focus on people, prioritizing human factors over corporate KPIs. She stepped away from the relentless push for hard sales but maintained a curious entrepreneurial spirit. With a career-changer by her side, she built a diverse, authentic, and curious team with extraordinary perspectives.
It was the magnetism of her vision that brought Personally together.
Previous Experience
Éva entered the search business in 1996, when she joined Recruitment International. Prior to her consulting career she had worked as a research fellow for Manchester Business School and the University of Economic Sciences in Budapest.
Educational Background
Éva graduated from the University of Economic Sciences in Budapest and did her PhD in Sociology. In addition to her native Hungarian she is fluent in English and speaks middle level German and French.